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He could be the next great’ – meet the 14-year-old international keeper

Malawi Freedom Network

The thoughts of most 14-year-olds will be on getting their homework done, or playing video games with friends.

But for Sammy Harvey, that was the age he was making his international debut.

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The teenage goalkeeper started for the Turks and Caicos Islands last month in their Concacaf Nations League match against Anguilla – whose starting goalkeeper in contrast was 41.

Unfortunately for Harvey that game ended in a 2-0 defeat, but his team-mates have the chance to gain revenge when the two sides meet again on Sunday (03:00 BST).

“After the first game, I did cry, knowing that my first game was a loss,” Harvey told BBC World Service Sport.

“[My coach] called me that same night to help me get my head back in it and get my head back up, and I was ready.

“I let it sink in knowing that, yes, I did play international level at 14 with a great experience. Let’s get ready for the next one to go again and prove to them that I can play at this level.”

Harvey says his footballing hero is his national team coach, Aaron Lawrence, who played in goal for Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup.

“I’ve watched a lot of his highlights from the World Cup days,” adds Harvey, who says he also admires Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson.

The teenager says it was his sister who first got him into football at the age of five, but initially he did not play as a goalkeeper.

“I started off as a left and right-back,” he said. “But when coach Aaron joined the programme I was on, his first days there, he put me in a goal and worked on me, my first ever goalkeeper coach.”

Harvey following in footsteps of other youngsters

Incredibly, Harvey’s achievement for the Turks and Caicos Islands is not unique.

He is the third 14 year-old to play for them after Christopher Louisy and Watson Jean-Louis, who are both now 19.

“Christopher knew I was going to play for the team because he was actually in that line-up,” Harvey added.

“We also played under-20s together, and we trained together a lot. So he had confidence in me. He knew I was ready. He just told me, don’t let it get to my head.

“And Watson, he wished me good luck. [It’s nice to know] that I have people to back me up, and to follow in their footsteps.”

Why are so many young players making their debuts?

For Turks and Caicos Islands coach Lawrence, the creation of the Concacaf Nations League six years ago provided the opportunity to give younger players the chance of senior football.

Lawrence says the competition provides more regular international games in which players coming through can be tested competitively, aiding their development.

He said: “[Turks and Caicos is] really a small island, and some of the older ones that were in college couldn’t get a chance to come to perform – and have stopped playing and started to work – because they haven’t seen the way forward with football.

“We’re trying in the development stage, and this is what we’re doing for these kids to help them to grow and hope that these young ones can maintain [their interest] and stay in football for a long period.

“These players will have something to look forward to and to play for, and something to really go out there and achieve.”

What could future hold for Harvey?

Alisson in action for Liverpool
Image caption,Harvey counts Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson as one of his football heroes

While Harvey’s debut did not go to plan with two goals conceded, he has plenty of time to develop.

A big Liverpool fan, his dream is to one day play for the Reds, and Lawrence sees no reason why he cannot ultimately go all the way.

Asked about his best qualities, he said: “His catching ability, quick reflexes and leaving the line.

“I think he has most of the qualities that a great goalkeeper has for the Premier League.

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